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The Maker of Dune: Insights of a Master of Science Fiction
A compendium of Herbert's essays, articles, observations, reminiscences and meditations, as well as a never-before-published interview with the late writer
279 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 1985
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About the author
Frank Herbert
556 books16.7k followersFranklin Patrick Herbert Jr. was an American science fiction author best known for the 1965 novel Dune and its five sequels. Though he became famous for his novels, he also wrote short stories and worked as a newspaper journalist, photographer, book reviewer, ecological consultant, and lecturer.
The Dune saga, set in the distant future, and taking place over millennia, explores complex themes, such as the long-term survival of the human species, human evolution, planetary science and ecology, and the intersection of religion, politics, economics and power in a future where humanity has long since developed interstellar travel and settled many thousands of worlds. Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time, and the entire series is considered to be among the classics of the genre.
The Dune saga, set in the distant future, and taking place over millennia, explores complex themes, such as the long-term survival of the human species, human evolution, planetary science and ecology, and the intersection of religion, politics, economics and power in a future where humanity has long since developed interstellar travel and settled many thousands of worlds. Dune is the best-selling science fiction novel of all time, and the entire series is considered to be among the classics of the genre.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
November 2, 2015
It is difficult to give a short review of this collection of articles and essays simply because they cover so many topics. Obviously there are several sections dealing with Dune, and these are utterly fascinating. The Campbell Correspondence is of particular interest as it shows Herbert's thoughts about Dune while he was still writing it. But you can see the inspiration for many of his other works throughout the essays. The insight into his motivations (or at least inspirations) for writing his novels stirs up the desire to re-read (or I guess read if you've not been fortunate enough to do so yet) those books to see those ideas explored.
I found there to be a great deal of serious philosophical ideas in Herbert's works, but here these ideas are pulled from their pretty fictional dressing and discussed more plainly. Which makes it somewhat easier to then turn around and articulate to others. Most people tend to not give weight to arguments that begin with, "I read this in a science fiction story and..."
What I like most about this book is it shows a man who thought deeply about the world, us and our place in it. Who gave it considered thought and approached our world from an angle most people do not. I don't agree with all of his conclusions or ideas, of course, but even in those ideas I disagree with I find inspiration and clarity for my own ideas.
It is a tragedy that this book is no longer in print.
I found there to be a great deal of serious philosophical ideas in Herbert's works, but here these ideas are pulled from their pretty fictional dressing and discussed more plainly. Which makes it somewhat easier to then turn around and articulate to others. Most people tend to not give weight to arguments that begin with, "I read this in a science fiction story and..."
What I like most about this book is it shows a man who thought deeply about the world, us and our place in it. Who gave it considered thought and approached our world from an angle most people do not. I don't agree with all of his conclusions or ideas, of course, but even in those ideas I disagree with I find inspiration and clarity for my own ideas.
It is a tragedy that this book is no longer in print.
August 9, 2011
Great tertiary read to see some of the articles and essays that illustrate Franks frame of mind while eventually culminating with the Dune series. I noted repetition of certain themes across these varied essays (submitted to varied publications and magazines), affirming the obsessive nature of his contemplation on those themes.
January 9, 2022
I have to admit that I skimmed some chapters of this book. I found it uneven, at least as far as my interest level went, though I can't speak for the writing itself.
Some of the things about technology and the ecology of the time they were written weren't terribly interesting to me and may not age well ("Why We're Losing the Smog War," it turns out, was overly pessimistic, although many of the powers that be are doing their level best to reverse the gains), but the sections on Dune and its origins, as well as sci-fi in general and some of Herbert's musings on other subjects, such as education, prescience and the ability to predict the future, the place of religion, and UFOs, to name but a few, were fascinating. This was a man who obviously read widely and thought deeply about a mind-blowing number of subjects. The remarks of TIm O'Reilly, who edited these pieces, some of which were taken from interviews he did with Herbert, were also illuminating.
I wish his son would consider giving the OK to have it reissued, possibly in an abridged or re-edited form, since I would love to have a copy but can't afford the $90 it would cost on Amazon. I was just lucky that my library had one in its closed stacks. I'm sure it wouldn't be a blockbuster bestseller, but many Dune fans would be grateful.
Some of the things about technology and the ecology of the time they were written weren't terribly interesting to me and may not age well ("Why We're Losing the Smog War," it turns out, was overly pessimistic, although many of the powers that be are doing their level best to reverse the gains), but the sections on Dune and its origins, as well as sci-fi in general and some of Herbert's musings on other subjects, such as education, prescience and the ability to predict the future, the place of religion, and UFOs, to name but a few, were fascinating. This was a man who obviously read widely and thought deeply about a mind-blowing number of subjects. The remarks of TIm O'Reilly, who edited these pieces, some of which were taken from interviews he did with Herbert, were also illuminating.
I wish his son would consider giving the OK to have it reissued, possibly in an abridged or re-edited form, since I would love to have a copy but can't afford the $90 it would cost on Amazon. I was just lucky that my library had one in its closed stacks. I'm sure it wouldn't be a blockbuster bestseller, but many Dune fans would be grateful.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews